Tao Lin weighs in on the recent history and future of the novel.
The attacks against (and defenses of) Greg Mortenson’s book Three Cups of Tea, in which the author recalls his philanthropic work in Afghanistan, are quickly accumulating. 60 Minutes ran a segment alleging that parts of the book (including a scene in which the writer is kidnapped by the Taliban) are fabricated, and that the author mishandled funds. Jon Krakauer has written an 89-page article (title: “Three Cups of Deceit”) attacking the book. MobyLives calls Mortenson’s defenses of his behavior “insane.” The Christian Science Monitor wonders if publishers are to blame, while NPR ponders the “murky waters of memories.” Laura Miller, on the other hand, explains why this isn’t the scandal critics are making it out to be.
A Visit From the Goon Squad, the TV show.
Morrissey has completed writing his memoir and is in the “redrafting and trimming stage,” according to a recent interview on the BBC. Moz told Front Row host John Wilson that the book will be out in the “next year or so,” and his preferred publisher is Penguin, but only if the publisher agrees to make it a Penguin Classic right away.
When Christian Lorentzen departs for the London Review of Books, Sarah Douglas will take over the culture desk at the New York Observer. In other media news, Michael Calderone has announced (via his Facebook page) that he’s leaving Yahoo! News for The Huffington Post.
